Definitions for motiveˈmoʊ tɪv

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

mo•tive^*ˈmoʊ tɪv(n.; adj.; v.)-tived, -tiv•ing.

(n.)something that causes a person to act in a certain way, do a certain thing, etc.; incentive.
the goal or object of a person's actions:
Her motive was revenge.
Ref: motif (def. 1). 1
(adj.)causing or tending to cause motion.
pertaining to motion.
prompting to action.
constituting a motive or motives.
Ref: motivate.

^* Syn: motive , inducement , incentive apply to something that prompts a person to action. motive is usu. applied to an inner urge that moves a person; it may also apply to a contemplated goal, the desire for which moves the person: Her motive was a wish to help. Money was the motive for the crime. inducement is used mainly of opportunities offered by another person or by situational factors: The salary they offered me was a great inducement.incentive is usu. applied to something offered as a reward or to stimulate competitive activity: Profit sharing is an incentive for employees.

Origin of motive:

1325–75; (< MF motif) < ML mōtīvus serving to move = L mōt(us) (ptp. of movēre to move ) +-īvus -ive

mo′tive•less(adj.)

Princeton's WordNet

motivation, motive, need(noun)
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
"we did not understand his motivation"; "he acted with the best of motives"
motif, motive(noun)
a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music
motif, motive(adj)
a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration
motive(a), motor(adj)
causing or able to cause motion
"a motive force"; "motive power"; "motor energy"
motivative(a), motive(a), motivating(adj)
impelling to action
"it may well be that ethical language has primarily a motivative function"- Arthur Pap; "motive pleas"; "motivating arguments"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

motive(noun)ˈmoʊ tɪv
a reason for doing sth
The motive for the crime remains a mystery.

Wiktionary

motive(Noun)
An incentive to act; a reason for doing something; anything that prompted a choice of action.
motive(Noun)
A motif; a theme or subject, especially one that is central to the work or often repeated.
If you listen carefully, you can hear the flutes mimicking the cello motive.
motive(Verb)
To prompt or incite by a motive or motives; to move.
motive(Adjective)
Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move; as, a motive argument; motive power.
motive(Adjective)
Relating to motion and/or to its cause

Webster Dictionary

Motive(noun)
that which moves; a mover
Motive(noun)
that which incites to action; anything prompting or exciting to choise, or moving the will; cause; reason; inducement; object
Motive(noun)
the theme or subject; a leading phrase or passage which is reproduced and varied through the course of a comor a movement; a short figure, or melodic germ, out of which a whole movement is develpoed. See also Leading motive, under Leading
Motive(noun)
that which produces conception, invention, or creation in the mind of the artist in undertaking his subject; the guiding or controlling idea manifested in a work of art, or any part of one
Motive(adj)
causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move; as, a motive argument; motive power
Motive(verb)
to prompt or incite by a motive or motives; to move